2024 Grand Canyon River Trip

Grand Canyon River Trip: April 13th through May 7th, 2024

(Click Images for Larger Photo)

Hannah, Bob and Lisa Potts near River Mile 53 in the Marble Canyon section of the Grand Canyon.

On February 22, 2023 while Bob was going through e-mails when he noticed one from the Grand Canyon National Park River Permits office stating, "Thank you for submitting an application in a calendar year 2024 Grand Canyon National Park noncommercial river trip lottery. We are pleased to inform you that your lottery application was successful and we have scheduled a Standard trip for you to launch from Lees Ferry on April 16, 2024." The same thing happened almost nine years earlier in 2014 when he was awarded a permit to launch on April 13, 2015. As before, it didn't really sink in right away because it had been nine years and dozens of other messages from the permit office saying just the opposite and he thought this was just one more of the same. This had been a long awaited and exciting e-mail, but now the reality began to sink in on all the work involved in putting a trip like this together. After reflecting on our 2015 River Trip it was, once again, clear that the most important consideration was group dynamics and to invite those would really help make a cohesive team. The permit included space for 16, but coming up with folks who would be great to have along, who would want to go, could go and had the skills and endurance to deal with three weeks in the remote reaches of the Grand Canyon really helped narrow down the list. When we led this trip in 2015 we took our whole family, but the kids are now in college and only Hannah could break away for half the trip. Thankfully the Park Service offers half-trip participant exchanges which made it possible for Hannah to go. Lisa also opted for a half trip with Hannah as she was not interested in making another full trip. Caleb was in the second year of his Mechanical Engineering program and also a Resident Assistant in one of the UNR dorms, so there was no way he could get off at all. Bob really wanted to extend this opportunity to his brothers and he reached out to them next. The first person he called was his brother Dave who had done this trip before and, without pause, he said yes. Then it was a call to his other brothers Jim and Andy who were also excited to go and said yes. We offered them the opportunity to ask one or two of their kids and/or a friend to join us as well. In the end, Dave asked two of his friends, Christ Stiltner and Dave Ford, and Jim's son, Lee, was able to join us for half a trip. Andy's kids and friends, in the end were unable to get the time off. The next list of folks we reached out to join us were those who were on our 2015 trip and those who wanted to be on that trip but were unable to do so at the time. After making a number of calls, we were honored to have Alex Heindl, Phil and Kath Spargo (half trip), Paul and Summer Mudd, Christopher Robison, Dann Coffey, Kent Gubler and Shawn Wilson join us. Of course there were a number of iterations getting to this final list from those who had originally signed on and those who could actually go, but when launch day rolled around we had filled the permit with a great team. When it was all said and done, we had 14 full-trip people and four half-trip participants. There were 14 guys and four gals coming from eight different states including Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Maryland. Some had river experience and some didn't, but all ended up being an addition to the mix of folks necessary for a successful and safe river trip. We were also fortunate to have experienced boatmen to help lead the trip including Bob, Dann Coffey and Bob's brother, Dave. Alex Heindl and Phil Spargo had been been on other river trips, but never a boatman on the Grand. They had helped though and we felt they were qualified to at least be the captain of a boat and those of us who were more experienced could help them through rough sections if need be. Dave Ford had also recently got into river running and his boating experience ended up being a great addition to our trip. There is a misconception that if someone doesn't have "Grand Canyon boatman experience" they, at some level, fall in the shadow of others that do. This couldn't be further from the truth as there is a broad range of gifts and skills that are necessary for a successful river trip. Perhaps chief among them are those that have an affinity for taking care of the menu. If it weren't for the food management, cooking and kitchen skills that Dann, Summer, Christopher, Hannah and Kath brought to the trip we certainly would not have had as great a trip as we did. Equally important were the construction skills Andy brought, Lee's exceptional photography and videography skills, Alex and Jim's geology expertise, Dave Ford's medical and rescue experience, Paul's musical skills, Shawn's technical skills, and Chris Stiltner's backcountry experience. In all, everyone carried their own weight and were available to carry that of others if needed. It was a great mix of people to share our 2024 river trip with. Below are a few highlights and pictures of our adventure in the Grand Canyon. Join us as we head downstream. Your friends, The Potts Family. P.S. Before you begin, check out these great videos that our nephew, Lee Potts, put together. The first is a 15 minute highlight video and the second is a full featured, one hour version of the trip. Our deepest thanks goes out to Lee for the great work he did putting these together. P.P.S. Check out Lee's website, 406 Digital Media, if you'd like to see some of his other work and/or touch base with him.
Fifteen minute highlight version.	One hour extended version.
Saturday, April 13 -- Leaving Carson City for Las Vegas Pay attention; once you launch, what you have is what you have for the next three weeks.
Bob's 2024 Grand Canyon Noncommercial River Trip permit as of January 18,2024. An exciting beginning to a lot of planning, work and fun.	Bob and his fully packed pick up on getting ready to head out on the 700 mile trip to Flagstaff, Arizona to meet the rest of the group and the team at Professional River Outfitters (PRO). We had worked with PRO on our 2015 river trip to provide boats, gear and food and they were great. They are very professional and have years of experience assisting private groups like ours. For this trip, PRO supplied us with five fully rigged rafts and all the gear and food we would need for the trip. Organizing hearty meals for a group of sixteen and keeping perishable foods from spoiling is a big job. We worked with PRO ahead of time planning specialized menus for our group and they did an awesome job packing and organizing it for us. Their coolers even have a special patented ice freezing process to ensure our food stayed cold for three weeks.
Sunday, April 14 -- Meeting up with others in Las Vegas and driving to Flagstaff
We made it to Las Vegas early Saturday evening where we met friends for dinner in Boulder City where we had a motel reserved fro the evening. In the morning Bob got up early to take a hike up the River Mountain Trail just outside of Boulder City, a six mile hike he had done countless times when we lived in Southern Nevada. This is a view from the top of the ridge looking east down the valley to Boulder City, Nevada.	After Bob got done with his hike and cleansed up we met the rest of the Southern Nevada contingent that would be joining us for a convoy together to Flagstaff. From left to right are Phil Spargo, Paul Mudd, Christopher Robison, Summer Mudd, Lisa, Bob, Hannah, Alex Heindl and Shawn Wilson. We were all jazzed to be together and ready to go boating...
We made it to Flagstaff around 2:00 in the afternoon where we were met by the other trip members including a special visit from Bob's Uncle Jim and his cousin Jason who drove up from Tucson to see us off. In this picture, left to right, are Dave Potts, Uncle Jim Danhof, Jim Potts, Andy Potts, Jason Danhof and Bob. What a treat seeing these guys!	Bob and his brothers Andy, Jim and Dave.
Monday, April 15 -- Flagstaff to Lees Ferry (River Mile 0)
While in Flagstaff we stayed at the Little America Hotel which was really great and reasonably priced for how nice it is. It was here that we were to meet PRO with all our gear organized and ready to load up in their trucks for a shuttle up to the put-in at Lees Ferry where we would start rigging our boats for our official launch tomorrow, the 16^th.	Lisa and Bob's brothers Andy and Dave posing with Tulasi Fowler, the wonderful person from PRO who was our point of contact helping us set up this whole trip.
Our first of many human chains (later fondly referred to as a "chain gang") of moving our gear from one place to another as we loaded all our stuff into PRO's truck for our trip to Lees Ferry.	Shawn Browning, our PRO Advisor, giving us the first of a number of helpful briefings before launching.
At Lees Ferry and the rigging begins.	Before our launch a mandatory Park Service briefing was required. Our group listened while a couple of Park Rangers explained required emergency procedures and some of the potential dangers involved in a private raft trip.
Both of the Rangers shared a lot of helpful information including some that stuck with us for the whole trip. Specifically was the mandatory evacuation requirement if you got bitten by a bat which meant it had rabies and there was a 100 percent chance of death if you didn't get evacuated. That little directive was front of mind for Summer Mudd the entire trip. Additionally, notice the bandages on the one rangers fingers. That's because they are dried and cracked, which is one of the biggest maladies of this trip because your hands are always wet and drying out. Lots of hand lotion is absolutely necessary.	Bob directing traffic as we rig the boats.
Hannah with her Dad as they make the short 100 yard row from Lees Ferry to the Boatman's Campground where we'll tie up for the night before our full launch tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16^th, 2024.	Boats rigged, tied up, and ready to launch tomorrow morning on our three week adventure. The plan was for all of us to have dinner at the Marble Canyon Lodge about six miles away where most of us would stay for the night. Paul and Summer Mudd offered to camp next to the boats that night and PRO would shuttle us back from the Lodge to the Boatman's Campground to join them for a final briefing by Shawn before launching.
Tuesday, April 16 -- Launch day to our first camp at Jackass Creek (River Mile 8)
Before everyone got up at the Marble Canyon Lodge, Bob snuck out to take some sunrise pictures of the canyon and the new and original Navajo Bridges.	A spectacular black and white of the Colorado River and its canyon looking upstream from atop the original Navajo Bridge.
Both the original and new Navajo Bridges are a favorite roosting spot for the endangered California Condors. These birds are closely monitored and specifics on each of them can be found on this site: https://www.condorspotter.com/. This bird, #19, for example was born in 2011 and his father is #83 and his mother is #96. Pretty cool!!
Our final briefing by Shawn before launching the morning of April 16^th, 2024.	Chris Stiltner, Dave Potts and Dave Ford leaving Lees Ferry.
Passing under the Navajo Bridges. The new bridge is in the foreground and the original behind it.	Brother Dave took this picture of our boat with Hannah on the oars. At this point we had no idea how great this trip was going to be.
Here's a brief video of Lisa's smiling face as we take off.
Our first camp on the night of the 16^th was Jackass Creek Camp on river left at mile 8. It is a decent camp, but can get a lot of sun in the afternoon. We had intentionally planned our first day to be short to give everyone a chance to figure things out from how to load the boats, how to tie them up, how to set up the kitchen, how to set up your own personal camp, to what clothes to wear and on and on and on. There's a lot that goes into a trip like this! After leaving Jackass Creek Camp on the morning of the 17^th, we had a number of rapids to run including Soap Creek Rapid at river mile 11, Sheer Wall Rapid at river mile 15 and the first of the big ones, House Rock Rapid, at river mile 17. The Grand Canyon uses a unique river rating scale. The rapids are technically rated 1-10 to account for the wide variety of rapids and river conditions found in the Canyon. Soap Creek Rapid is rated is rated 5 and Sheer Wall Rapid is rated a 2. Both of these are fairly straight forward, head down the tongue and run the middle rapids. House Rock Rapid is rated 7 because of the big holes on river left with the challenge of staying off the rocks on river right. This was especially the case for our trip as we had low flows and there was little margin between the holes and the rocks.
Here's a video clip of our run down Soap Creek Rapid (River Mile 11; #5 rating).	And, here's a video clip of our run down Sheer Wall Rapid (River Mile 15; #2 rating).
Dann Coffey entering House Rock Rapid (#7 rating) at river mile 17.	Dann going through the first waves of House Rock Rapid.
Dann nearing the first big hole in House Rock Rapid.	And safely pulling away with only the nose of his boat kissing the hole.
Now it's Phil Spargo's turn and he's got himself well set up. Not too close to the debris field in the foreground, but not to far out where the big holes are either.	Phil pulling hard away from the big holes in House Rock Rapid. Look at the bow in his oar shaft.
Phil sneaking past the first big hole.	As well as the second big hole. Congratulations Phil!
Hannah wore our GoPro camera to take this video of our run through House Rock Rapid. At first Bob thought we were a little too far right but, honestly, it couldn't have gone better.
Wednesday, April 17 -- North Canyon Camp (River Mile 20)
Summer Mudd was a real hero on the trip taking on the duty of shopping for menu ingredients for every meal on the trip. This was not an easy job because all those ingredients for 60+ meals were stored across all five boats. Here she is early on in the trip at the North Canyon Camp going through the 3-ring binder shopping list Pro provided for us.	Our North Canyon Camp on river right at river mile 20. This is a great camp with a short hike up a beautiful short slot canyon a number of us enjoyed.
The four brothers on the morning of the 17^th getting ready to launch from our North Canyon Camp to make the 12 miles to South Canyon. This would be a fun day navigating the "Roaring Twenties" including North Canyon, Twentyone Mile, Twentythree Mile, Georgie, Twentyfour and One-Half Mile, and Shinumo Wash Rapids.	Lisa taking her turn at the oars to have a little fun in the "Roaring Twenties."
North Canyon Rapid (River Mile 20.5; #5 rating)	Twentyone Mile Rapid (#5 rating)
Twentythree Mile Rapid (#4 rating)	Georgie Rapid (River Mile 24; #6 rating)
Twentyfour and One-Half Mile Rapid (#6 rating)	Shinumo Wash/Twentynine Mile Rapid (#2 rating)
Now that the "Roaring Twenties" are behind us, time to take a break.
Thursday, April 18 -- South Canyon Camp (River Mile 32)
An evening view of our relaxing South Canyon Camp after a big day on the water. Bob was especially ready to take a break at this camp as just prior to getting here he was distracted by backpackers hiking down South Canyon and hung our boat up on a rock. It took almost all of the group and a broken oar to free it.	Bob's brother Jim. It was such a pleasure to have him on our boat for this entire, 226 mile river trip.
Less than a half mile below the South Canyon camp is Stanton's Cave on river right. This is a natural cave that has been used by indigenous people going back 4,000 years. More recently it was used by explorers including its namesake, Robert Brewster Stanton who used it in 1889 after an accident that killed three of his expedition crew. It is now sealed off to protect bat habitat.	On the same bend in the river just below Stanton's Cave is Vasey's Paradise, an amazing clear water spring that gushes out of the Redwall Limestone. It is named after botanist George Vasey, a friend of John Wesley Powell, leader of the first official U.S. government-sponsored passage through the Grand Canyon.
Only a mile or so below Vasey's Paradise at mile 33 is Redwall Cavern. Every trip that comes through the Grand needs to stop at Redwall and play a bit of volleyball or throwing a football or Frisbee in this massive cavern created by pre-dam floods.	Lisa enjoying the blessing of solitude in our tied up boats.
Redwall Cavern is immense. When Powell first visited it in 1869 he commented that "50,000 people could seat themselves comfortably in it." That's a bit of an exaggeration, but it is big.	A "jump shot" of our entire group other than Bob who took it.
At river mile 35 we stopped on river right to hike up Nautiloid Canyon to see the fossilized remnants of distant relatives of modern day squids. The canyon is short and steep, but offers great views of the river below.	A fossilized Nautiloid in front of Bob's foot.
Shawn Wilson with Jim and Dave Potts. Dave took one of our ropes along to assist folks making their way up and down Nautiloid Canyon.	After leaving Nautiloid Canyon, we row another nine miles downstream to the President Harding Camp at river mile 44. Before pulling in, however, we have to navigate the camps namesake, President Harding Rapid. This is a short video clip of Bob making his way through the rapid and then pulling into President Harding Camp.
Friday, April 19 -- President Harding Camp (River Mile 44)
After arriving, unloading and getting camp set up, Hannah takes advantage of the great beach and calm cove at the President Harding Camp for a swim and bath.	The view to the south across the cove at the President Harding Camp.
Our great friend and mentor, Alex Heindl. If there were ever a person an notch ahead of the rest, it would be Alex.	Dann launching out on the morning of April 20^th.
At river mile 53 we pulled over for lunch and got ready to hike up to the Nankoweap Granaries used many years ago by the Anasazi. The granaries were used a thousand years ago by the local Indians to store the grain they grew in the river delta to keep it dry and safe for when they would need it in the winter months. There are no better views than those going up the trail to the Granaries This picture was taken south down Marble Canyon almost to the point where the Little Colorado River flows in on river left and the main canyon starts swinging to the west towards Lake Mead.	Bob with his brothers Jim, Andy and Dave right below the granaries.
A granary for each of them. :)	Paul and Summer Mudd at the Nankoweap Anasazi Granaries with unparalleled views behind them.
Bob and our lovely daughter Hannah. She is turning out to be a wonderful young lady.	Our family in front of an amazing backdrop. We took this picture in almost the same spot we took it in 2015. It just doesn't seem the same without Caleb. He was missed.
Boats on the river in Marble Canyon -- magical!	Lisa enjoying one of her favorite pastimes when in the wild -- reading through a field guide.
Dave, Alex and Andy making their way down this amazing stretch of the Grand Canyon after a great hike and before getting to our next camp just a few miles downstream.
Saturday, April 20 -- Kwagunt Camp (River Mile 56.5)
Every day after getting to camp, unloading the boats, getting the kitchen, groover, chairs, fire pan, hand washing station and personal camps set up, the next to do was to filter water. PRO offers a great battery powered water filter they call the Aqua Partner which worked really great as long as you followed the correct procedures. It was indispensable as we filtered, on average 30 gallons a day. That's what it takes for 16 people and all the cooking.	Our camp on the "veranda" at Kwagunt. This is the same tent we used on our 2015 trip as well. It is a Sierra Designs Bedouin 6 that allows us room to stand up, stay out of the sand and stay dry. It has been bomber.
Hannah loves taking pictures of flowers so she grabbed Bob's DSLR and went for a walk. Here are some beautiful Goldenaster's.	Purple aster's among the Beaver Tail cactus.
The smiling face of a purple aster.	A beavertail cactus in bloom.
The "Canimal" we rented from PRO. This, along with a stake hammer, was a great piece of gear we rented from PRO as well. When everything you pack in you have to pack out, being able to easily crush cans to save space was really helpful. Although it doesn't show it here, the PRO "Canimal" actually sits on top of a 20mm ammo can so as you crush cans they fall right into the ammo can while also getting it off the ground.	Dinner on the stove. On this trip, appetites are always good.
Our five boats tied up and secure for the night at river mile 56.5, Kwagunt Camp .	Kent Gubler getting ready for a new days adventure on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
The happy, color coordinated couple at Kwagunt.	Making Breakfast! There was never a shortage of "kitchen watchers" at breakfast.
Hannah enjoying her second favorite hobby right after outdoor adventures, reading. Here she's in an especially good personal space -- reading in the great outdoors.	When we got to the Little Colorado at river mile 62 we were disappoint that it was not clear and running its beautiful turquoise blue water like it was on our 2015 trip. We did stop and hike up a bit, but it was really running muddy, so we got back in the boats and launched through the confluence. It's very clear in this picture where the muddy water of the Little Colorado were mixing with the cleaner, green water of the main Colorado that came out of the bottom of Lake Powell through Glen Canyon Dam more than 60 miles upstream.
Our beautiful Hannah on the oars.
As an aside, it was at the Kwagunt Camp while Dave Ford was checking his messages via his Garmin InReach that we learned about a drowning that had occurred somewhere above Phantom Ranch. The Park Service was asking that those on the river keep an eye out for the body. This was obviously not the kind of news we'd like to have gotten, but we were happy to help as able.
Sunday, April 21 -- Unkar Camp (River Mile 72.5)
Jim, cooling his heals at Unkar Camp. After leaving the confluence with the Little Colorado the river turns west and we floated another 10 miles past Tanner Canyon and Furnace Flats to our next camp at Unkar Delta. We had hoped to camp on river right so we could walk through the ancient Pueblo dwellings on the delta but unfortunately the beaches had been washed out since the last time we were here. So, we had to pull hard to the other side of the river and set up camp on river left. Here there was plenty of beach and a reasonably good camp. On trips like this you have to be flexible...	When camped at Unkar, the one thing you have to face first thing in the morning is running Unkar Rapid. Check out this video of our run through Unkar Creek Rapid (River Mile 73; #6 rating). Down the middle and keep pulling right as the river pushes up against the cliff on river left as it bends fairly tightly to the right.
Our plan for April 22^nd was a fairly short day of 10 miles to Grapevine Camp. On the way, however, we had a number of big rapids to deal with including Hance (8) and Sockdolager (7).
Dann Coffey and Bob scouting Hance Rapid. Hance is big, long and bony. It's been my experience that you can get yourself all set up and do ok on the top, but there is so much going on that about half to two thirds of the way through you are at the mercy of big water. The best piece of advice, keep your boat straight and ride it through.
Check out this video of our run through Hance Rapid (River Mile 77; #8 rating) We had a good run just missing the rocks on river left at the top, pulling hard into the "Duck Pond", blasting through the lower side and continued to stay left of the "Land of Giants" below. We did hit a couple of big holes but kept the boat straight and made it through great, wet but great. :) We did loose the oar shaft from our broken oar, but that was the least of our worries at this point.	Sockdolager Rapid (River Mile 79; #7 rating) Sockdolager is also a long rapid with a number of boat eating holes in it is well. We did have a good run though with only one mishap when a big wave tore one of the oars out of Bob's hand but it caused no problems and, with Lisa's help, quickly got it back. It was a fun and wet ride. :)
Monday, April 22 -- Grapevine Camp (River Mile 82)
Although we only made 10 miles on the 22^nd we did run some big water and made it to our target camp, Grapevine Camp. Grapevine is a great camp with a huge beach and lots of shade. It also is only six miles from Phantom Ranch which sets us up well for our passenger exchange in the morning.	Bob's brother Dave took this great picture of Bob and Dave Ford enjoying one of the better parts of being on vacation, taking a nap.
Although the moon was scheduled be full on April 23^rd we had a pretty amazing view from the Grapevine Camp on April 22^nd.	Hannah took this amazing picture of the team washing dishes by headlamp. As a photographer, she is really talented.
Hannah also took this long exposure of her tent with a lantern in it.	We also played around a bit with the bright moon we had by having the four brothers and Lisa contort their bodies into the shapes of letters where our shadows would spell "Potts." It kind of worked, and certainly made for a lot of laughter.
The morning of April 23^rd. This was kind of a bittersweet day for us as our next stop would be Phantom Ranch where Lisa and Hannah would leave the trip. It would be great to have Kath and Lee join us, but Lisa and Hannah would be missed.	Bob filling out his morning prayer journal. In it he wrote, "I am sure going to miss my girls and I pray You get them safely to the top. I love them so much and thank you for them."
Hannah, always joyful and a real addition no matter where she is.
After leaving the Grapevine Camp the morning of April 23^rd we had a short, six mile row to Phantom Ranch where we had a planned passenger exchange. Unfortunately Lisa and Hannah could only make half the trip, so this is where they were going to hike out and Katherine Spargo and our nephew Lee Potts would take their place. It was very hard to see Lisa and Hannah walk away, but it was great to add Lee and Kath to the trip. On the way to Phantom we had another big rapid to run, Grapevine, but everything went well and we were soon at Phantom Ranch for the exchange.
Our boats as we approached Boat Beach at Phantom Ranch (River Mile 88).	Hannah, Lisa and Bob all in their color coordinated NRS river shirts at Phantom Ranch with the Black Suspension Bridge behind them. This is the bridge the mules use when coming down the South Kaibab Trail from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.
The four girls who were on our 2024 Grand Canyon River trip. Summer Mudd, Hannah and Lisa, and Kath Spargo. We lost two but gained one when Kath hiked down to join us.	Lisa and Hannah waving goodbye.
Lisa and Hannah hiked out the 10 mile Bright Angel Trail, the same trail that Kath Spargo and Lee Potts hiked in on. The logistics of the exchange were a little complicated and we had to get the timing down right. Two days before, Lee flew in to Las Vegas where Phil and Kath Spargo live. Kath picked up Lee from the airport and took him to her house where he stayed for the night and then rode with Kath as she drove to the South Rim on the 22^nd. They stayed in a hotel room that night and got up very early in the morning to hike down the Bright Angel Trail to meet us in the boats at Phantom Ranch at 10:00 a.m. The timing worked out perfectly and after about an hour together with all 18 of us there, Lisa and Hannah hiked out, stayed in the same hotel Lee and Kath had the night before, drove Kath's car back to her house in Las Vegas and got and Uber to drive them to the airport where they flew back to Reno. Whew what a bunch of planning...	The wonderful Potts girls!
Hannah near the end of the Tonto Platform before the switchbacks up to Havasupai Gardens (formerly Indian Gardens) and the final switches to the South Rim.	Looking down from near the South Rim at the switchbacks they had just hike up. You can see the Tonto Platform below and the drop into the Inner Gorge and Phantom Ranch beyond.
Hannah within a couple of hundred yards from the top of the South Rim. Very proud of the girls making this hike as they started around 11:00 and hiked up nearly 5,000 feet and 10 miles during the warmest part of the day. The good news was that it was April and the warmest part of the day was around 70^oF.
Back on the river after leaving Phantom Ranch the rest of us got ready for the highest concentration of big rapids we would deal with. In total we had 16 rapids to run over the next two days. These included Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit, and Crystal. All of these rapids are rated at level 8 on the 1 through 10 Grand Canyon rating system. That said, the consequences of missing the right line are quite a bit different from one rapid to the other which has the same rating. One of the most helpful sites we've found in providing guidance for anyone making this private trip is this video by Mark Hunt: Tips for Rowing the Big Rapids in the Grand Canyon (Colorado River Whitewater Rafting). Also, there's the GoRafting.com site which is helpful as well.
Tuesday, April 23 -- Granite Camp (River Mile 94)
After leaving Phantom Ranch we traveled downstream six miles to Granite Camp at river mile 94. Granite is a wonderful camp with lots of shade, campsites and a good place to get in the river and take a bath. This is also a popular camp for backpackers three of which we had join us for dinner. We were also visited by a couple of Park Rangers who checked our permit and gave us an update that nothing yet had been heard about the drowning that had occurred above Phantom.	We all enjoyed stopping early and taking advantage of this great camp site after making the exchange at Phantom and running Horn Creek Rapid (River Mile 91; #8 rating). Horn Creek can be very challenging depending on flow rates, but we all had good runs with the 11,000 cfs that was coming down the river on the 23^rd.
Bob, Jim and Lee after making successful runs through Granite Rapid (River Mile 94; #8 rating) and Hermit Rapid (River Mile 95.5; #8 rating).	Dave Potts took this picture of us running Crystal Creek Rapid at river mile 99 (#8 rating). Crystal is a short rapid with two huge holes center to river left. The trick is to break over the right lateral wave about halfway down the tongue and sneak between the big holes and the rocks on river right that, if hit, bounce you into the holes. We made a perfect run.
Wednesday and Thursday, April 24^th and 25^thBass Camp (River Mile 109)
Bass Camp is one of our favorite camps and early on in the planning process we put it on the schedule to have a layover day here. There is a great kitchen site, calm water to swim and take a bath in, great camp sites and a number of really great hikes.	One of the most familiar residents of the Grand Canyon, the Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard.
On the morning of the 25^th six of us decided to make the 6.5 mile round trip hike up Shinumo Creek to the original Bass Camp. This was a camp used from 1908 to 1925 by William Bass to entertain guests that he brought in from the South Rim. He built a cable car system to ferry equipment and people across the river.	On our hike to the Bass Camp we saw a number of Desert Bighorn sheep including this very nice, young ram.
What's left of William Bass' original tent camp on Shinumo Creek.	You have to wonder how many cups of coffee this old pot made?
A collection of relics at the William Bass Guest Camp.	There were literally dozens of these little Woodhouse Toads on the banks of Shinumo Creek.
Phil Spargo and Jim Potts standing in a place that was probably quite busy in the early 1900's.	A great picture of a great guy.
After a wonderful two-day break at Bass Camp, we once again headed downstream on the morning of April 26^th for a fun day of moderate rapids and a couple of great side hikes.
At river mile 116 we all pulled over on river left to take a quick hike up one of the lesser visited side canyons. It wasn't a long hike, but was great to get out and stretch our legs in this magical place.	Along the way Bob came along this great piece of sandstone with beautiful layering in it. If it weren't sandstone, it could have been easily been mistaken for petrified wood.
Brother Dave Potts hiking in Blacktail Canyon at river mile 121.5.
Friday, April 26 -- Above Fossil Camp (River Mile 125)
About mid-afternoon on the 26^th the skies started clouding up and we knew we were in for a bit of rain. We had five miles in front of us after leaving Blacktail Canyon and a couple of moderate rapids to run, including Hundred and Twentytwomile (#4 rating) and Forester Rapid (#5 rating). So, we kept moving downstream and made it to the Above Fossil Camp around 5:00 where we quickly unloaded the boats, set up the kitchen, groover and personal camps. It was here that Andy's construction expertise really came out with the shelter he built over the kitchen. When the rain came, and it really came hard, we had a dry place to all get under to make dinner and then eat it. Thank you Andy!.	Our kitchen and wash area the morning of the 27^th after a pretty rainy night. We all made out well, however, and enjoyed a hearty breakfast. It was here that Dann Coffey made the statement, "if we ever experience the apocalypse, I want to be wherever the Potts boys are." Grandpa Potts would have been proud. :)
The Potts Boys the morning after the big rain at Above Fossil Camp.
After leaving the Above Fossil Camp on the morning of April 27^th we headed downstream to run another 10 or so rapids including Fossil (#5 rating), Specter (#6 rating), Bedrock (#7 rating), and Deubendorff (#7 rating). Bedrock is particularly challenging, because of a rock the size of an apartment building in the middle of the river that forces most of the flow through a narrow channel up against the cliff face on river left. The strategy is to go into the rapid staying close to the right side of center just missing the right side of a rock garden debris field and then pulling hard right to go around the safe side of Bedrock. The problem is, at least 80 percent of the river's flow wants to flush you down the wrong way, so if you don't go right at just the right time after the debris field, there's a really good chance you will get pulled into huge hydraulics and flip.
When we got to Bedrock Rapid at river mile 131 it was clear that a guided group that was in front of us had an accident. So, we pulled over well above the rapid on river left to scout and see if we could help. They, like us, were rowing 18 foot rafts and apparently the boatman in their gear boat had not pulled hard enough to the right after going past the debris field on river right. Either that or he tried to go through forward and the current is just too strong going left to be able to push right. In any case their boat was pinned/wrapped on the "Bedrock" and with all the force of the river pushing against it, there was no way to get it free. They would have to wait until flows dropped later on.	A broader angle of the guided group and their dilemma at Bedrock Rapid.
After an hour or so we decided there was nothing we could do to help out the guided group and decided to make our run through Bedrock. As it was for most of the trip, Bob rowed sweep (last) and is coming into Bedrock last above Phil who, unfortunately, got hung up in the rock garden on river right before the main rapid and "Bedrock" itself. This probably would never have happened if the group in front of us had not "wrapped" and psyched Phil out a bit and causing him to pull too far right too soon and getting hung up in the rocks. Bob and the others had pulled in below the rapid and went back upstream and with a bit of work lightening his load and rigging his boat with bow and stern lines were able to free it and guide it safely through the rest of the rock obstacles.	Bob navigating around the rock garden on river right before pivoting his boat and pulling hard right to miss "Bedrock" and take the "right" channel.
Pivoting and pulling hard.	And sneaking past "Bedrock" safely on river right.
One of the reminders of life's cycles on the scouting trail above Deubendorff Rapid (#7 rating) at River Mile 132.	Check out this video that a hiking group took of our team running through Tapeats Rapid (#5 rating) at river mile 134.5. Pay particular attention at minute 1:52 where Bob hits the big hole straight on, his boat "tacos" and Lee gets launched from the back deck right on top of Bob. Obviously this wasn't the plan, but it points out how important it is to keep your boat straight because you can't always see the "holes" until you're right on top of them.
Saturday, April 27^th -- Owl Eyes Camp (River Mile 135)
Our wonderful Owl Eyes camp named for one of the rock formations above camp that looks just like "Owl Eyes".
Bob with our good friend Alex Heindl at Deer Creek Falls. Deer Creek Falls is amazing as the water from Deer Creek come down through a slot canyon just below a beautiful, fairy glen area know as "The Patio" and tumbles 150 feet down and into the Colorado River. It really is a spectacular sight that few get to see.	Deer Creek Falls
Our 2024 Grand Canyon River Trip team at Deer Creek Falls. The only two missing are Lisa and Hannah who hiked out at Phantom Ranch.	Phil and Kath Spargo with Alex Heindl. This picture captures the magic of what happens on trips like this. It was the introductions made on our 2015 River Trip that evolved into a deep friendship between the Spargo's and Alex. They live close to each other in Henderson, Nevada and see each other all the time. Friendships and making friendships is what this is all about.
Another great friendship, Shawn Wilson and Alex Heindl. In fact it was Shawn who attended the same church we did who introduced us to Alex. Thank you Shawn!	Phil and Kath Spargo.
Our good friend Christopher Robison. Christopher was an arms-length coworker of Bob's who did a bunch of stuff together professionally, but also share a passion for the great outdoors. It was really great having Christopher on our trip; he really made a difference.	Dann Coffey and Kent Gubler Bob's brother Dave introduced us to Dann after the two of them were on a river trip in 1997. Since then we have stayed in touch and regularly bring our friendship to the front with another river trip. We were so blessed to have Dann come in as co-lead on this trip to share all his experience, expertise, talent and good humor. Likewise, it was great to meet Kent. Kent is a lifelong friend of Dann's, has done trips like this before and was a real pleasure to have join us. Lisa has this saying that "friendships are the currency of heaven" and now we have one more to add to the vault.
The brothers at Deer Creek Falls.	Andy Potts Andy lives in Michigan and with us living 2,000 miles apart we just don't get to spend near as much time with him as we'd like or should. This trip changed that and we had an amazing time together. It was so good reconnecting and long overdue!
While at Deer Creek most of us decided to take the hike/climb above the falls up to The Patio. On our way there we had amazing views like this of the Colorado River and Kaibab Plateau.	Our boats tied up at Deer Creek Falls.
Dann, Kent and Chris Stiltner at "The Patio"	Bob on the Deer Creek trail above The Patio. This trail continues on to Deer Creek Springs, through Surprise Valley and on to Thunder River. From there you can continue on all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or back down Tapeats Creek back to the Colorado River about three miles upstream from where our boats were tied. We only hiked up to where we could see Deer Creek Springs.
Deer Creek Springs	Lee and Jim Potts
Sunday, April 28^th -- Football Field Camp (River Mile 138)
After a big day hiking and spending time in Deer Creek Falls at River Mile 137, we jumped back in the boats for a short, one mile float to the Football Camp at river mile 138.
Football Field Camp at River Mile 138	While Bob's brother Jim rowed our boat through Kanab Rapid at river mile 144, Bob took this video of his brother Dave who was running it just in front of us.
Scouting Upset Rapid at river mile 150. For a great video of our team scouting and running this rapid, check out Lee Potts' video between minutes 27:32 and 29:27. At about minute 28:45 is where Lee caught Dave Ford on video getting swept off his boat in Upset's "sleeper hole". This could have turned out bad if his boat had flipped because as he went over his PFD got hung up on the oar stand. As it turned out, the boat didn't flip and Alex and Chris were able to pull him back in and he walked away with only bruised ribs.
Monday, April 29^th -- Ledges Camp (River Mile 152)
Ledges Camp is a great camp, but for Bob (and others) it was the best one on this trip. You are out of the sand, can pull the boats right up to the sandstone ledges, their is no sound of rapids either upstream or downstream, the canyon is narrow so the views of stars and the Milky Way streaming overhead are brilliant and, this year, we had bighorn sheep grazing on the cliffs on the other side of the river and Paul playing his guitar and singing with Summer's help songs like the Eagles classic "Seven Bridges Road" and others like it. It Havasu Canyon nothing less than magical.
Just past river mile 157 is one of the "have to" side trips when rafting the Colorado -- hiking up Havasu Canyon. Much of the hiking up the canyon is either right on the bank or actually in the beautiful turquoise water of Havasu Creek through travertine formations caused by high concentrations of calcium carbonate. The full hike up Havasu Canyon to the highway is over 15 miles and takes you past some of the most beautiful falls in the world including Beaver Falls, Mooney Falls and Havasu Falls. On our 2003 trip, Lisa and I got to do that because we had to get back and take care of Hannah. At the time, Lisa was three months pregnant with Caleb. What a gal...	With no plans to hike very far up the canyon this year, we spent our time playing in the beautiful water of this magical place.
Dann Coffey loving life.	The Spargo's in a very good place.
The four brothers taking advantage of an amazing, travertine pool.	Christopher Robison
The generally quiet and reserved Christopher letting go and having a blast.	Dave Ford, butt in the sand on the banks of Havasu Creek, it doesn't get better than this.
The gang having a blast in one of the many waterfalls of Havasu Creek.	It's around this section of the Grand Canyon that you start running into more and more Ocotillos. The one next to Kent is really healthy and in full bloom. Another magical of the Grand Canyon.
After getting played out in the Havasu, we headed back to our boats to head downstream to find a lunch spot.	Then we thought, why not have lunch here? It was a lot of fun especially with all the fish swimming around our legs and feet. You can actually see shadows of them in the water in this picture.
Tuesday, April 30^th -- Tuckup Camp (River Mile 165)
Summer Mudd was always the life of the party. Never shy, always willing, positive and joyful, it was really great to have her on the trip.	Chris Stiltner was also great to have on the trip. Bob's brother Dave had met Chris while on a hike in Montana and Dave knew right away that doing something bigger with Chris would be great. Dave's intuition was right and the rest of us are all better off because of it.
Dave Ford and Christopher Robison doing magic in the kitchen.	Look at that... Pretty amazing breakfast on day 15 of this trip.
Wednesday, May 1^st -- Upper Cove Camp (River Mile 175)
The 10 mile section between Tuckup Camp at river mile 165 and Upper Cove Camp are fairly non-eventful and relaxing. This was our sixteenth day on the river so we left a bit late and enjoyed each other's company as we prepared for a couple of big days yet in front of us.
Having a quiet time on the water with friends and far away from the busy world outside the canyon walls.	Not sure what was going on here, but it's fairly clear it had something to do at Paul's expense. This picture really captures the fun we had.
Thursday, May 2^nd -- 185 Mile Camp (River Mile 186)
After leaving Upper Cove Camp we had about five miles before running the biggest rapid on this trip, Lava Falls Rapid at River Mile 180 on the 2^nd of May .
Vulcan's Anvil at river mile 178. Once you get here, you know you've a little over a mile before the biggest rapid in the Canyon, Lava Falls (#9 rating).	The Spargo boat putting on a good face before Lava.
When we got to Lava to scout, there was a commercial group, Canyon Explorations that were just about to leave and make their run. We quickly tied up and got to the overview to watch them make their runs and learn from them. They had five rafts and a dory and each of them did very well. Watching them go through was very helpful. This boat makes a perfect run entering on the left side of the tongue at the Hump Wave/Lateral wave just to the right of the Ledge Hole.	Makes it over that and goes just left of the "Pour Over".
Continues down just left of the "V-Wave" .	And then down to navigate just left of the "Big Kahuna".
Makes it through and sneaks past the "Corner Pocket" and the "Cheese Grater Rock".	All in all, a great run and one for us to replicate.
This is the video clip that Bob's brother Andy took of the Canyon Explorations' dory run through Lava Falls Rapid.
Our run through Lava Falls Rapid (River Mile 180). We ran it backwards because you have so much more power pulling on the oars than pushing them. Our run was textbook other than we did get a bit doused going through the "V-Wave" but all good.	Lower Lava Falls Rapid is just below Lava Falls Rapid and is no where as big of a challenge and after the euphoria of successfully running Lava it's a very nice and mild bump and run to help settle the nerves.
More bighorns along the bank as we gently float to our next camp at Indian Canyon.	Brother Jim relaxing in the slower water below Lava Falls.
Friday, May 3^rd -- Indian Canyon Camp (River Mile 207)
Indian Canyon Camp has always marked the point where as leader of the trip you can finally start relaxing. We're at day 18 and less than 20 miles from the takeout and all the planning, logistics, rapids, hikes, personalities and everything else is mostly over. This is a camp where chairs are set up with the back to the cliff wall and water slowly drifting by in front of you. It is a place to drink a beer and know all is good...	Chris and Kath enjoying each other in conversation.
Saturday, May 4^th -- Upper Two Hundred and Twentymile Camp (River Mile 220)
Our last camp on the trip was Upper Two Hundred and Twentymile Camp just six miles before our takeout at Diamond Creek at river mile 226 on May 5^th.
Dann Coffey at our last camp enjoying his time drawing the magnificent landscapes of this Grand Canyon. Having Dann on this trip was just the best! It was also at this camp that Alex shared this wonderful poem he had written about our trip. To see it on video, check out Lee Potts' video between minutes 58:06 and 1:02:54, it's pretty great! Forever the poet (in word and life), Alex had only a few days earlier penned this fun little poem: Windy & Eddy Windy and Eddy are negative forces, they've caused lots of fights and several divorces. We cuss 'em and curse 'em while plotting our courses, The next time we do this we're gonna ride horses!
Speaking of "Windy and Eddy," we had to row into a pretty stiff headwind the last six miles of our trip to the takeout at Diamond Creek. Thank goodness we had Lee on our boat who is in his early 20's, is 6'6", 240 pounds and strong as a bull to man the oars. Thank you Lee!	Of course I couldn't let him have all the fun and had to pull on the oars a bit too. In this picture in the background is Diamond Peak where just beyond is Diamond Creek where we'll be taking out. What's interesting is that the elevation of Diamond Peak is 3,500 feet and the elevation at Lee's Ferry is 3,300 feet. That gives you a visual idea of how much the river has dropped over the 226 miles we've floated on it. :)
At the Diamond Creek takeout on Sunday, May 5^th where PRO has met us in rental trucks to shuttle us back to Flagstaff. Look at all the gear piled up like it was three weeks earlier at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff except with a bit more "experience."	Derigging our faithful boats.
Washing them down to bring them up on the beach.	So we can deflate them by opening the valves and laying on them so they can be rolled up and loaded for the trip back to Flagstaff.
Sunday and Monday, May 5^th and 6^th -- Flagstaff, Arizona
Bob and his brothers in the same order and in the same place at the Little America Hotel they were at exactly 21 days earlier. The four of us hadn't spent this much time together since high school and the great thing is we still really like each other, maybe even more now than then. What a great trip!	What was left of our food spread out on the hotel lawn on the morning of the 6^th to divvy out among us. Not much considering what we launched with.
A last family picture together at PRO's shop and still all smiles. Thank you God!	As Bob's brothers and Lee made their way back north and east to Montana and Michigan, Bob headed west and north through Las Vegas to Beatty where he spent the night. The next day he cut across to the west at Lida Junction to Big Pine where, on the way, he had this amazing view of the High Sierra including Mount Whitney, Mount Russell and the North Palisade. It was great driving alone through this beautiful country to have a little bit of "windshield time" to think about and consider our amazing trip and next steps.
As a final note, we learned that the suspected drowning victim the park service had made us aware of on April 20^th was wearing a life preserver that we had found very early on our trip just below Sheer Wall Rapid at river mile 14. We brought the life preserver to the Park Service office in Flagstaff on the 6^th of May. At that time the suspected victim had yet to be found, but we later learned that he had been found on May 10^th only six miles below Lees Ferry as reported in this NPS Press Release and this ABC News Report. Very sad...

On February 22, 2023 while Bob was going through e-mails when he noticed one from the Grand Canyon National Park River Permits office stating, "Thank you for submitting an application in a calendar year 2024 Grand Canyon National Park noncommercial river trip lottery. We are pleased to inform you that your lottery application was successful and we have scheduled a Standard trip for you to launch from Lees Ferry on April 16, 2024."

The same thing happened almost nine years earlier in 2014 when he was awarded a permit to launch on April 13, 2015. As before, it didn't really sink in right away because it had been nine years and dozens of other messages from the permit office saying just the opposite and he thought this was just one more of the same. This had been a long awaited and exciting e-mail, but now the reality began to sink in on all the work involved in putting a trip like this together.

After reflecting on our 2015 River Trip it was, once again, clear that the most important consideration was group dynamics and to invite those would really help make a cohesive team. The permit included space for 16, but coming up with folks who would be great to have along, who would want to go, could go and had the skills and endurance to deal with three weeks in the remote reaches of the Grand Canyon really helped narrow down the list.

When we led this trip in 2015 we took our whole family, but the kids are now in college and only Hannah could break away for half the trip. Thankfully the Park Service offers half-trip participant exchanges which made it possible for Hannah to go. Lisa also opted for a half trip with Hannah as she was not interested in making another full trip. Caleb was in the second year of his Mechanical Engineering program and also a Resident Assistant in one of the UNR dorms, so there was no way he could get off at all.

Bob really wanted to extend this opportunity to his brothers and he reached out to them next. The first person he called was his brother Dave who had done this trip before and, without pause, he said yes. Then it was a call to his other brothers Jim and Andy who were also excited to go and said yes. We offered them the opportunity to ask one or two of their kids and/or a friend to join us as well. In the end, Dave asked two of his friends, Christ Stiltner and Dave Ford, and Jim's son, Lee, was able to join us for half a trip. Andy's kids and friends, in the end were unable to get the time off.

The next list of folks we reached out to join us were those who were on our 2015 trip and those who wanted to be on that trip but were unable to do so at the time. After making a number of calls, we were honored to have Alex Heindl, Phil and Kath Spargo (half trip), Paul and Summer Mudd, Christopher Robison, Dann Coffey, Kent Gubler and Shawn Wilson join us.

Of course there were a number of iterations getting to this final list from those who had originally signed on and those who could actually go, but when launch day rolled around we had filled the permit with a great team.

When it was all said and done, we had 14 full-trip people and four half-trip participants. There were 14 guys and four gals coming from eight different states including Nevada, Montana, Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, South Dakota, Arkansas, and Maryland. Some had river experience and some didn't, but all ended up being an addition to the mix of folks necessary for a successful and safe river trip.

We were also fortunate to have experienced boatmen to help lead the trip including Bob, Dann Coffey and Bob's brother, Dave. Alex Heindl and Phil Spargo had been been on other river trips, but never a boatman on the Grand. They had helped though and we felt they were qualified to at least be the captain of a boat and those of us who were more experienced could help them through rough sections if need be. Dave Ford had also recently got into river running and his boating experience ended up being a great addition to our trip.

There is a misconception that if someone doesn't have "Grand Canyon boatman experience" they, at some level, fall in the shadow of others that do. This couldn't be further from the truth as there is a broad range of gifts and skills that are necessary for a successful river trip. Perhaps chief among them are those that have an affinity for taking care of the menu. If it weren't for the food management, cooking and kitchen skills that Dann, Summer, Christopher, Hannah and Kath brought to the trip we certainly would not have had as great a trip as we did. Equally important were the construction skills Andy brought, Lee's exceptional photography and videography skills, Alex and Jim's geology expertise, Dave Ford's medical and rescue experience, Paul's musical skills, Shawn's technical skills, and Chris Stiltner's backcountry experience.

In all, everyone carried their own weight and were available to carry that of others if needed. It was a great mix of people to share our 2024 river trip with. Below are a few highlights and pictures of our adventure in the Grand Canyon. Join us as we head downstream.

Your friends,

The Potts Family.

P.S. Before you begin, check out these great videos that our nephew, Lee Potts, put together. The first is a 15 minute highlight video and the second is a full featured, one hour version of the trip. Our deepest thanks goes out to Lee for the great work he did putting these together.
P.P.S. Check out Lee's website, 406 Digital Media, if you'd like to see some of his other work and/or touch base with him.

Fifteen minute highlight version.

One hour extended version.

Saturday, April 13 -- Leaving Carson City for Las Vegas

Pay attention; once you launch, what you have is what you have for the next three weeks.

Bob's 2024 Grand Canyon Noncommercial River Trip permit as of January 18,2024. An exciting beginning to a lot of planning, work and fun.

Bob and his fully packed pick up on getting ready to head out on the 700 mile trip to Flagstaff, Arizona to meet the rest of the group and the team at Professional River Outfitters (PRO).

We had worked with PRO on our 2015 river trip to provide boats, gear and food and they were great. They are very professional and have years of experience assisting private groups like ours. For this trip, PRO supplied us with five fully rigged rafts and all the gear and food we would need for the trip. Organizing hearty meals for a group of sixteen and keeping perishable foods from spoiling is a big job. We worked with PRO ahead of time planning specialized menus for our group and they did an awesome job packing and organizing it for us. Their coolers even have a special patented ice freezing process to ensure our food stayed cold for three weeks.

Sunday, April 14 -- Meeting up with others in Las Vegas and driving to Flagstaff

We made it to Las Vegas early Saturday evening where we met friends for dinner in Boulder City where we had a motel reserved fro the evening. In the morning Bob got up early to take a hike up the River Mountain Trail just outside of Boulder City, a six mile hike he had done countless times when we lived in Southern Nevada. This is a view from the top of the ridge looking east down the valley to Boulder City, Nevada.

After Bob got done with his hike and cleansed up we met the rest of the Southern Nevada contingent that would be joining us for a convoy together to Flagstaff. From left to right are Phil Spargo, Paul Mudd, Christopher Robison, Summer Mudd, Lisa, Bob, Hannah, Alex Heindl and Shawn Wilson. We were all jazzed to be together and ready to go boating...

We made it to Flagstaff around 2:00 in the afternoon where we were met by the other trip members including a special visit from Bob's Uncle Jim and his cousin Jason who drove up from Tucson to see us off. In this picture, left to right, are Dave Potts, Uncle Jim Danhof, Jim Potts, Andy Potts, Jason Danhof and Bob. What a treat seeing these guys!

Bob and his brothers Andy, Jim and Dave.

Monday, April 15 -- Flagstaff to Lees Ferry (River Mile 0)

While in Flagstaff we stayed at the Little America Hotel which was really great and reasonably priced for how nice it is. It was here that we were to meet PRO with all our gear organized and ready to load up in their trucks for a shuttle up to the put-in at Lees Ferry where we would start rigging our boats for our official launch tomorrow, the 16^th.

Lisa and Bob's brothers Andy and Dave posing with Tulasi Fowler, the wonderful person from PRO who was our point of contact helping us set up this whole trip.

Our first of many human chains (later fondly referred to as a "chain gang") of moving our gear from one place to another as we loaded all our stuff into PRO's truck for our trip to Lees Ferry.

Shawn Browning, our PRO Advisor, giving us the first of a number of helpful briefings before launching.

At Lees Ferry and the rigging begins.

Before our launch a mandatory Park Service briefing was required. Our group listened while a couple of Park Rangers explained required emergency procedures and some of the potential dangers involved in a private raft trip.

Both of the Rangers shared a lot of helpful information including some that stuck with us for the whole trip. Specifically was the mandatory evacuation requirement if you got bitten by a bat which meant it had rabies and there was a 100 percent chance of death if you didn't get evacuated. That little directive was front of mind for Summer Mudd the entire trip.

Additionally, notice the bandages on the one rangers fingers. That's because they are dried and cracked, which is one of the biggest maladies of this trip because your hands are always wet and drying out. Lots of hand lotion is absolutely necessary.

Bob directing traffic as we rig the boats.

Hannah with her Dad as they make the short 100 yard row from Lees Ferry to the Boatman's Campground where we'll tie up for the night before our full launch tomorrow, Tuesday, April 16^th, 2024.

Boats rigged, tied up, and ready to launch tomorrow morning on our three week adventure.

The plan was for all of us to have dinner at the Marble Canyon Lodge about six miles away where most of us would stay for the night. Paul and Summer Mudd offered to camp next to the boats that night and PRO would shuttle us back from the Lodge to the Boatman's Campground to join them for a final briefing by Shawn before launching.

Tuesday, April 16 -- Launch day to our first camp at Jackass Creek (River Mile 8)

Before everyone got up at the Marble Canyon Lodge, Bob snuck out to take some sunrise pictures of the canyon and the new and original Navajo Bridges.

A spectacular black and white of the Colorado River and its canyon looking upstream from atop the original Navajo Bridge.

Both the original and new Navajo Bridges are a favorite roosting spot for the endangered California Condors. These birds are closely monitored and specifics on each of them can be found on this site: https://www.condorspotter.com/. This bird, #19, for example was born in 2011 and his father is #83 and his mother is #96. Pretty cool!!

Our final briefing by Shawn before launching the morning of April 16^th, 2024.

Chris Stiltner, Dave Potts and Dave Ford leaving Lees Ferry.

Passing under the Navajo Bridges. The new bridge is in the foreground and the original behind it.

Brother Dave took this picture of our boat with Hannah on the oars. At this point we had no idea how great this trip was going to be.

Here's a brief video of Lisa's smiling face as we take off.

Our first camp on the night of the 16^th was Jackass Creek Camp on river left at mile 8. It is a decent camp, but can get a lot of sun in the afternoon.

We had intentionally planned our first day to be short to give everyone a chance to figure things out from how to load the boats, how to tie them up, how to set up the kitchen, how to set up your own personal camp, to what clothes to wear and on and on and on. There's a lot that goes into a trip like this!

After leaving Jackass Creek Camp on the morning of the 17^th, we had a number of rapids to run including Soap Creek Rapid at river mile 11, Sheer Wall Rapid at river mile 15 and the first of the big ones, House Rock Rapid, at river mile 17.

The Grand Canyon uses a unique river rating scale. The rapids are technically rated 1-10 to account for the wide variety of rapids and river conditions found in the Canyon.

Soap Creek Rapid is rated is rated 5 and Sheer Wall Rapid is rated a 2. Both of these are fairly straight forward, head down the tongue and run the middle rapids.

House Rock Rapid is rated 7 because of the big holes on river left with the challenge of staying off the rocks on river right. This was especially the case for our trip as we had low flows and there was little margin between the holes and the rocks.

Here's a video clip of our run down Soap Creek Rapid (River Mile 11; #5 rating).

And, here's a video clip of our run down Sheer Wall Rapid (River Mile 15; #2 rating).

Dann Coffey entering House Rock Rapid (#7 rating) at river mile 17.

Dann going through the first waves of House Rock Rapid.

Dann nearing the first big hole in House Rock Rapid.

And safely pulling away with only the nose of his boat kissing the hole.

Now it's Phil Spargo's turn and he's got himself well set up. Not too close to the debris field in the foreground, but not to far out where the big holes are either.

Phil pulling hard away from the big holes in House Rock Rapid.

Look at the bow in his oar shaft.

Phil sneaking past the first big hole.

As well as the second big hole. Congratulations Phil!

Hannah wore our GoPro camera to take this video of our run through House Rock Rapid.

At first Bob thought we were a little too far right but, honestly, it couldn't have gone better.

Wednesday, April 17 -- North Canyon Camp (River Mile 20)

Summer Mudd was a real hero on the trip taking on the duty of shopping for menu ingredients for every meal on the trip. This was not an easy job because all those ingredients for 60+ meals were stored across all five boats.

Here she is early on in the trip at the North Canyon Camp going through the 3-ring binder shopping list Pro provided for us.

Our North Canyon Camp on river right at river mile 20. This is a great camp with a short hike up a beautiful short slot canyon a number of us enjoyed.

The four brothers on the morning of the 17^th getting ready to launch from our North Canyon Camp to make the 12 miles to South Canyon. This would be a fun day navigating the "Roaring Twenties" including North Canyon, Twentyone Mile, Twentythree Mile, Georgie, Twentyfour and One-Half Mile, and Shinumo Wash Rapids.

Lisa taking her turn at the oars to have a little fun in the "Roaring Twenties."

North Canyon Rapid (River Mile 20.5; #5 rating)

Twentyone Mile Rapid (#5 rating)

Twentythree Mile Rapid (#4 rating)

Georgie Rapid (River Mile 24; #6 rating)

Twentyfour and One-Half Mile Rapid (#6 rating)

Shinumo Wash/Twentynine Mile Rapid (#2 rating)

Now that the "Roaring Twenties" are behind us, time to take a break.

Thursday, April 18 -- South Canyon Camp (River Mile 32)

An evening view of our relaxing South Canyon Camp after a big day on the water.

Bob was especially ready to take a break at this camp as just prior to getting here he was distracted by backpackers hiking down South Canyon and hung our boat up on a rock. It took almost all of the group and a broken oar to free it.

Bob's brother Jim. It was such a pleasure to have him on our boat for this entire, 226 mile river trip.

Less than a half mile below the South Canyon camp is Stanton's Cave on river right. This is a natural cave that has been used by indigenous people going back 4,000 years. More recently it was used by explorers including its namesake, Robert Brewster Stanton who used it in 1889 after an accident that killed three of his expedition crew. It is now sealed off to protect bat habitat.

On the same bend in the river just below Stanton's Cave is Vasey's Paradise, an amazing clear water spring that gushes out of the Redwall Limestone. It is named after botanist George Vasey, a friend of John Wesley Powell, leader of the first official U.S. government-sponsored passage through the Grand Canyon.

Only a mile or so below Vasey's Paradise at mile 33 is Redwall Cavern. Every trip that comes through the Grand needs to stop at Redwall and play a bit of volleyball or throwing a football or Frisbee in this massive cavern created by pre-dam floods.

Lisa enjoying the blessing of solitude in our tied up boats.

Redwall Cavern is immense. When Powell first visited it in 1869 he commented that "50,000 people could seat themselves comfortably in it." That's a bit of an exaggeration, but it is big.

A "jump shot" of our entire group other than Bob who took it.

At river mile 35 we stopped on river right to hike up Nautiloid Canyon to see the fossilized remnants of distant relatives of modern day squids. The canyon is short and steep, but offers great views of the river below.

A fossilized Nautiloid in front of Bob's foot.

Shawn Wilson with Jim and Dave Potts. Dave took one of our ropes along to assist folks making their way up and down Nautiloid Canyon.

After leaving Nautiloid Canyon, we row another nine miles downstream to the President Harding Camp at river mile 44. Before pulling in, however, we have to navigate the camps namesake, President Harding Rapid. This is a short video clip of Bob making his way through the rapid and then pulling into President Harding Camp.

Friday, April 19 -- President Harding Camp (River Mile 44)

After arriving, unloading and getting camp set up, Hannah takes advantage of the great beach and calm cove at the President Harding Camp for a swim and bath.

The view to the south across the cove at the President Harding Camp.

Our great friend and mentor, Alex Heindl.
If there were ever a person an notch ahead of the rest, it would be Alex.

Dann launching out on the morning of April 20^th.

At river mile 53 we pulled over for lunch and got ready to hike up to the Nankoweap Granaries used many years ago by the Anasazi. The granaries were used a thousand years ago by the local Indians to store the grain they grew in the river delta to keep it dry and safe for when they would need it in the winter months.

There are no better views than those going up the trail to the Granaries This picture was taken south down Marble Canyon almost to the point where the Little Colorado River flows in on river left and the main canyon starts swinging to the west towards Lake Mead.

Bob with his brothers Jim, Andy and Dave right below the granaries.

A granary for each of them. :)

Paul and Summer Mudd at the Nankoweap Anasazi Granaries with unparalleled views behind them.

Bob and our lovely daughter Hannah. She is turning out to be a wonderful young lady.

Our family in front of an amazing backdrop. We took this picture in almost the same spot we took it in 2015. It just doesn't seem the same without Caleb. He was missed.

Boats on the river in Marble Canyon -- magical!

Lisa enjoying one of her favorite pastimes when in the wild -- reading through a field guide.

Dave, Alex and Andy making their way down this amazing stretch of the Grand Canyon after a great hike and before getting to our next camp just a few miles downstream.

Saturday, April 20 -- Kwagunt Camp (River Mile 56.5)

Every day after getting to camp, unloading the boats, getting the kitchen, groover, chairs, fire pan, hand washing station and personal camps set up, the next to do was to filter water. PRO offers a great battery powered water filter they call the Aqua Partner which worked really great as long as you followed the correct procedures. It was indispensable as we filtered, on average 30 gallons a day. That's what it takes for 16 people and all the cooking.

Our camp on the "veranda" at Kwagunt.

This is the same tent we used on our 2015 trip as well. It is a Sierra Designs Bedouin 6 that allows us room to stand up, stay out of the sand and stay dry. It has been bomber.

Hannah loves taking pictures of flowers so she grabbed Bob's DSLR and went for a walk. Here are some beautiful Goldenaster's.

Purple aster's among the Beaver Tail cactus.

The smiling face of a purple aster.

A beavertail cactus in bloom.

The "Canimal" we rented from PRO. This, along with a stake hammer, was a great piece of gear we rented from PRO as well. When everything you pack in you have to pack out, being able to easily crush cans to save space was really helpful. Although it doesn't show it here, the PRO "Canimal" actually sits on top of a 20mm ammo can so as you crush cans they fall right into the ammo can while also getting it off the ground.

Dinner on the stove. On this trip, appetites are always good.

Our five boats tied up and secure for the night at river mile 56.5, Kwagunt Camp .

Kent Gubler getting ready for a new days adventure on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

The happy, color coordinated couple at Kwagunt.

Making Breakfast!
There was never a shortage of "kitchen watchers" at breakfast.

Hannah enjoying her second favorite hobby right after outdoor adventures, reading.
Here she's in an especially good personal space -- reading in the great outdoors.

When we got to the Little Colorado at river mile 62 we were disappoint that it was not clear and running its beautiful turquoise blue water like it was on our 2015 trip.

We did stop and hike up a bit, but it was really running muddy, so we got back in the boats and launched through the confluence. It's very clear in this picture where the muddy water of the Little Colorado were mixing with the cleaner, green water of the main Colorado that came out of the bottom of Lake Powell through Glen Canyon Dam more than 60 miles upstream.

Our beautiful Hannah on the oars.

As an aside, it was at the Kwagunt Camp while Dave Ford was checking his messages via his Garmin InReach that we learned about a drowning that had occurred somewhere above Phantom Ranch. The Park Service was asking that those on the river keep an eye out for the body. This was obviously not the kind of news we'd like to have gotten, but we were happy to help as able.

Sunday, April 21 -- Unkar Camp (River Mile 72.5)

Jim, cooling his heals at Unkar Camp.

After leaving the confluence with the Little Colorado the river turns west and we floated another 10 miles past Tanner Canyon and Furnace Flats to our next camp at Unkar Delta.

We had hoped to camp on river right so we could walk through the ancient Pueblo dwellings on the delta but unfortunately the beaches had been washed out since the last time we were here. So, we had to pull hard to the other side of the river and set up camp on river left. Here there was plenty of beach and a reasonably good camp. On trips like this you have to be flexible...

When camped at Unkar, the one thing you have to face first thing in the morning is running Unkar Rapid.

Check out this video of our run through Unkar Creek Rapid (River Mile 73; #6 rating).
Down the middle and keep pulling right as the river pushes up against the cliff on river left as it bends fairly tightly to the right.

Our plan for April 22^nd was a fairly short day of 10 miles to Grapevine Camp. On the way, however, we had a number of big rapids to deal with including Hance (8) and Sockdolager (7).

Dann Coffey and Bob scouting Hance Rapid.

Hance is big, long and bony. It's been my experience that you can get yourself all set up and do ok on the top, but there is so much going on that about half to two thirds of the way through you are at the mercy of big water. The best piece of advice, keep your boat straight and ride it through.

Check out this video of our run through Hance Rapid (River Mile 77; #8 rating)

We had a good run just missing the rocks on river left at the top, pulling hard into the "Duck Pond", blasting through the lower side and continued to stay left of the "Land of Giants" below. We did hit a couple of big holes but kept the boat straight and made it through great, wet but great. :)
We did loose the oar shaft from our broken oar, but that was the least of our worries at this point.

Sockdolager Rapid (River Mile 79; #7 rating)

Sockdolager is also a long rapid with a number of boat eating holes in it is well. We did have a good run though with only one mishap when a big wave tore one of the oars out of Bob's hand but it caused no problems and, with Lisa's help, quickly got it back.

It was a fun and wet ride. :)

Monday, April 22 -- Grapevine Camp (River Mile 82)

Although we only made 10 miles on the 22^nd we did run some big water and made it to our target camp, Grapevine Camp.
Grapevine is a great camp with a huge beach and lots of shade. It also is only six miles from Phantom Ranch which sets us up well for our passenger exchange in the morning.

Bob's brother Dave took this great picture of Bob and Dave Ford enjoying one of the better parts of being on vacation, taking a nap.

Although the moon was scheduled be full on April 23^rd we had a pretty amazing view from the Grapevine Camp on April 22^nd.

Hannah took this amazing picture of the team washing dishes by headlamp. As a photographer, she is really talented.

Hannah also took this long exposure of her tent with a lantern in it.

We also played around a bit with the bright moon we had by having the four brothers and Lisa contort their bodies into the shapes of letters where our shadows would spell "Potts." It kind of worked, and certainly made for a lot of laughter.

The morning of April 23^rd. This was kind of a bittersweet day for us as our next stop would be Phantom Ranch where Lisa and Hannah would leave the trip. It would be great to have Kath and Lee join us, but Lisa and Hannah would be missed.

Bob filling out his morning prayer journal. In it he wrote, "I am sure going to miss my girls and I pray You get them safely to the top. I love them so much and thank you for them."

Hannah, always joyful and a real addition no matter where she is.

After leaving the Grapevine Camp the morning of April 23^rd we had a short, six mile row to Phantom Ranch where we had a planned passenger exchange. Unfortunately Lisa and Hannah could only make half the trip, so this is where they were going to hike out and Katherine Spargo and our nephew Lee Potts would take their place. It was very hard to see Lisa and Hannah walk away, but it was great to add Lee and Kath to the trip.

On the way to Phantom we had another big rapid to run, Grapevine, but everything went well and we were soon at Phantom Ranch for the exchange.

Our boats as we approached Boat Beach at Phantom Ranch (River Mile 88).

Hannah, Lisa and Bob all in their color coordinated NRS river shirts at Phantom Ranch with the Black Suspension Bridge behind them. This is the bridge the mules use when coming down the South Kaibab Trail from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

The four girls who were on our 2024 Grand Canyon River trip. Summer Mudd, Hannah and Lisa, and Kath Spargo. We lost two but gained one when Kath hiked down to join us.

Lisa and Hannah waving goodbye.

Lisa and Hannah hiked out the 10 mile Bright Angel Trail, the same trail that Kath Spargo and Lee Potts hiked in on.

The logistics of the exchange were a little complicated and we had to get the timing down right. Two days before, Lee flew in to Las Vegas where Phil and Kath Spargo live. Kath picked up Lee from the airport and took him to her house where he stayed for the night and then rode with Kath as she drove to the South Rim on the 22^nd. They stayed in a hotel room that night and got up very early in the morning to hike down the Bright Angel Trail to meet us in the boats at Phantom Ranch at 10:00 a.m. The timing worked out perfectly and after about an hour together with all 18 of us there, Lisa and Hannah hiked out, stayed in the same hotel Lee and Kath had the night before, drove Kath's car back to her house in Las Vegas and got and Uber to drive them to the airport where they flew back to Reno.

Whew what a bunch of planning...

The wonderful Potts girls!

Hannah near the end of the Tonto Platform before the switchbacks up to Havasupai Gardens (formerly Indian Gardens) and the final switches to the South Rim.

Looking down from near the South Rim at the switchbacks they had just hike up. You can see the Tonto Platform below and the drop into the Inner Gorge and Phantom Ranch beyond.

Hannah within a couple of hundred yards from the top of the South Rim.

Very proud of the girls making this hike as they started around 11:00 and hiked up nearly 5,000 feet and 10 miles during the warmest part of the day. The good news was that it was April and the warmest part of the day was around 70^oF.

Back on the river after leaving Phantom Ranch the rest of us got ready for the highest concentration of big rapids we would deal with. In total we had 16 rapids to run over the next two days. These included Horn Creek, Granite, Hermit, and Crystal. All of these rapids are rated at level 8 on the 1 through 10 Grand Canyon rating system. That said, the consequences of missing the right line are quite a bit different from one rapid to the other which has the same rating.

One of the most helpful sites we've found in providing guidance for anyone making this private trip is this video by Mark Hunt: Tips for Rowing the Big Rapids in the Grand Canyon (Colorado River Whitewater Rafting).
Also, there's the GoRafting.com site which is helpful as well.

Tuesday, April 23 -- Granite Camp (River Mile 94)

After leaving Phantom Ranch we traveled downstream six miles to Granite Camp at river mile 94. Granite is a wonderful camp with lots of shade, campsites and a good place to get in the river and take a bath. This is also a popular camp for backpackers three of which we had join us for dinner.

We were also visited by a couple of Park Rangers who checked our permit and gave us an update that nothing yet had been heard about the drowning that had occurred above Phantom.

We all enjoyed stopping early and taking advantage of this great camp site after making the exchange at Phantom and running Horn Creek Rapid (River Mile 91; #8 rating).
Horn Creek can be very challenging depending on flow rates, but we all had good runs with the 11,000 cfs that was coming down the river on the 23^rd.

Bob, Jim and Lee after making successful runs through Granite Rapid (River Mile 94; #8 rating) and Hermit Rapid (River Mile 95.5; #8 rating).

Dave Potts took this picture of us running Crystal Creek Rapid at river mile 99 (#8 rating).

Crystal is a short rapid with two huge holes center to river left. The trick is to break over the right lateral wave about halfway down the tongue and sneak between the big holes and the rocks on river right that, if hit, bounce you into the holes. We made a perfect run.

Wednesday and Thursday, April 24^th and 25^thBass Camp (River Mile 109)

Bass Camp is one of our favorite camps and early on in the planning process we put it on the schedule to have a layover day here. There is a great kitchen site, calm water to swim and take a bath in, great camp sites and a number of really great hikes.

One of the most familiar residents of the Grand Canyon, the Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard.

On the morning of the 25^th six of us decided to make the 6.5 mile round trip hike up Shinumo Creek to the original Bass Camp. This was a camp used from 1908 to 1925 by William Bass to entertain guests that he brought in from the South Rim. He built a cable car system to ferry equipment and people across the river.

On our hike to the Bass Camp we saw a number of Desert Bighorn sheep including this very nice, young ram.

What's left of William Bass' original tent camp on Shinumo Creek.

You have to wonder how many cups of coffee this old pot made?

A collection of relics at the William Bass Guest Camp.

There were literally dozens of these little Woodhouse Toads on the banks of Shinumo Creek.

Phil Spargo and Jim Potts standing in a place that was probably quite busy in the early 1900's.

A great picture of a great guy.

After a wonderful two-day break at Bass Camp, we once again headed downstream on the morning of April 26^th for a fun day of moderate rapids and a couple of great side hikes.

At river mile 116 we all pulled over on river left to take a quick hike up one of the lesser visited side canyons. It wasn't a long hike, but was great to get out and stretch our legs in this magical place.

Along the way Bob came along this great piece of sandstone with beautiful layering in it. If it weren't sandstone, it could have been easily been mistaken for petrified wood.

Brother Dave Potts hiking in Blacktail Canyon at river mile 121.5.

Friday, April 26 -- Above Fossil Camp (River Mile 125)

About mid-afternoon on the 26^th the skies started clouding up and we knew we were in for a bit of rain. We had five miles in front of us after leaving Blacktail Canyon and a couple of moderate rapids to run, including Hundred and Twentytwomile (#4 rating) and Forester Rapid (#5 rating). So, we kept moving downstream and made it to the Above Fossil Camp around 5:00 where we quickly unloaded the boats, set up the kitchen, groover and personal camps.
It was here that Andy's construction expertise really came out with the shelter he built over the kitchen. When the rain came, and it really came hard, we had a dry place to all get under to make dinner and then eat it.

Thank you Andy!.

Our kitchen and wash area the morning of the 27^th after a pretty rainy night. We all made out well, however, and enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

It was here that Dann Coffey made the statement, "if we ever experience the apocalypse, I want to be wherever the Potts boys are." Grandpa Potts would have been proud. :)

The Potts Boys the morning after the big rain at Above Fossil Camp.

After leaving the Above Fossil Camp on the morning of April 27^th we headed downstream to run another 10 or so rapids including Fossil (#5 rating), Specter (#6 rating), Bedrock (#7 rating), and Deubendorff (#7 rating). Bedrock is particularly challenging, because of a rock the size of an apartment building in the middle of the river that forces most of the flow through a narrow channel up against the cliff face on river left. The strategy is to go into the rapid staying close to the right side of center just missing the right side of a rock garden debris field and then pulling hard right to go around the safe side of Bedrock. The problem is, at least 80 percent of the river's flow wants to flush you down the wrong way, so if you don't go right at just the right time after the debris field, there's a really good chance you will get pulled into huge hydraulics and flip.

When we got to Bedrock Rapid at river mile 131 it was clear that a guided group that was in front of us had an accident. So, we pulled over well above the rapid on river left to scout and see if we could help. They, like us, were rowing 18 foot rafts and apparently the boatman in their gear boat had not pulled hard enough to the right after going past the debris field on river right. Either that or he tried to go through forward and the current is just too strong going left to be able to push right. In any case their boat was pinned/wrapped on the "Bedrock" and with all the force of the river pushing against it, there was no way to get it free. They would have to wait until flows dropped later on.

A broader angle of the guided group and their dilemma at Bedrock Rapid.

After an hour or so we decided there was nothing we could do to help out the guided group and decided to make our run through Bedrock.

As it was for most of the trip, Bob rowed sweep (last) and is coming into Bedrock last above Phil who, unfortunately, got hung up in the rock garden on river right before the main rapid and "Bedrock" itself. This probably would never have happened if the group in front of us had not "wrapped" and psyched Phil out a bit and causing him to pull too far right too soon and getting hung up in the rocks.

Bob and the others had pulled in below the rapid and went back upstream and with a bit of work lightening his load and rigging his boat with bow and stern lines were able to free it and guide it safely through the rest of the rock obstacles.

Bob navigating around the rock garden on river right before pivoting his boat and pulling hard right to miss "Bedrock" and take the "right" channel.

Pivoting and pulling hard.

And sneaking past "Bedrock" safely on river right.

One of the reminders of life's cycles on the scouting trail above Deubendorff Rapid (#7 rating) at River Mile 132.

Check out this video that a hiking group took of our team running through Tapeats Rapid (#5 rating) at river mile 134.5.

Pay particular attention at minute 1:52 where Bob hits the big hole straight on, his boat "tacos" and Lee gets launched from the back deck right on top of Bob.

Obviously this wasn't the plan, but it points out how important it is to keep your boat straight because you can't always see the "holes" until you're right on top of them.

Saturday, April 27^th -- Owl Eyes Camp (River Mile 135)

Our wonderful Owl Eyes camp named for one of the rock formations above camp that looks just like "Owl Eyes".

Bob with our good friend Alex Heindl at Deer Creek Falls.

Deer Creek Falls is amazing as the water from Deer Creek come down through a slot canyon just below a beautiful, fairy glen area know as "The Patio" and tumbles 150 feet down and into the Colorado River.

It really is a spectacular sight that few get to see.

Deer Creek Falls

Our 2024 Grand Canyon River Trip team at Deer Creek Falls.

The only two missing are Lisa and Hannah who hiked out at Phantom Ranch.

Phil and Kath Spargo with Alex Heindl.

This picture captures the magic of what happens on trips like this. It was the introductions made on our 2015 River Trip that evolved into a deep friendship between the Spargo's and Alex. They live close to each other in Henderson, Nevada and see each other all the time.
Friendships and making friendships is what this is all about.

Another great friendship, Shawn Wilson and Alex Heindl. In fact it was Shawn who attended the same church we did who introduced us to Alex. Thank you Shawn!

Phil and Kath Spargo.

Our good friend Christopher Robison. Christopher was an arms-length coworker of Bob's who did a bunch of stuff together professionally, but also share a passion for the great outdoors. It was really great having Christopher on our trip; he really made a difference.

Dann Coffey and Kent Gubler

Bob's brother Dave introduced us to Dann after the two of them were on a river trip in 1997. Since then we have stayed in touch and regularly bring our friendship to the front with another river trip. We were so blessed to have Dann come in as co-lead on this trip to share all his experience, expertise, talent and good humor.

Likewise, it was great to meet Kent. Kent is a lifelong friend of Dann's, has done trips like this before and was a real pleasure to have join us.

Lisa has this saying that "friendships are the currency of heaven" and now we have one more to add to the vault.

The brothers at Deer Creek Falls.

Andy Potts

Andy lives in Michigan and with us living 2,000 miles apart we just don't get to spend near as much time with him as we'd like or should. This trip changed that and we had an amazing time together. It was so good reconnecting and long overdue!

While at Deer Creek most of us decided to take the hike/climb above the falls up to The Patio. On our way there we had amazing views like this of the Colorado River and Kaibab Plateau.

Our boats tied up at Deer Creek Falls.

Dann, Kent and Chris Stiltner at "The Patio"

Bob on the Deer Creek trail above The Patio. This trail continues on to Deer Creek Springs, through Surprise Valley and on to Thunder River. From there you can continue on all the way to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon or back down Tapeats Creek back to the Colorado River about three miles upstream from where our boats were tied. We only hiked up to where we could see Deer Creek Springs.

Deer Creek Springs

Lee and Jim Potts

Sunday, April 28^th -- Football Field Camp (River Mile 138)

After a big day hiking and spending time in Deer Creek Falls at River Mile 137, we jumped back in the boats for a short, one mile float to the Football Camp at river mile 138.

Football Field Camp at River Mile 138

While Bob's brother Jim rowed our boat through Kanab Rapid at river mile 144, Bob took this video of his brother Dave who was running it just in front of us.

Scouting Upset Rapid at river mile 150. For a great video of our team scouting and running this rapid, check out Lee Potts' video between minutes 27:32 and 29:27.

At about minute 28:45 is where Lee caught Dave Ford on video getting swept off his boat in Upset's "sleeper hole". This could have turned out bad if his boat had flipped because as he went over his PFD got hung up on the oar stand. As it turned out, the boat didn't flip and Alex and Chris were able to pull him back in and he walked away with only bruised ribs.

Monday, April 29^th -- Ledges Camp (River Mile 152)

Ledges Camp is a great camp, but for Bob (and others) it was the best one on this trip. You are out of the sand, can pull the boats right up to the sandstone ledges, their is no sound of rapids either upstream or downstream, the canyon is narrow so the views of stars and the Milky Way streaming overhead are brilliant and, this year, we had bighorn sheep grazing on the cliffs on the other side of the river and Paul playing his guitar and singing with Summer's help songs like the Eagles classic "Seven Bridges Road" and others like it. It Havasu Canyon nothing less than magical.

Just past river mile 157 is one of the "have to" side trips when rafting the Colorado -- hiking up Havasu Canyon.

Much of the hiking up the canyon is either right on the bank or actually in the beautiful turquoise water of Havasu Creek through travertine formations caused by high concentrations of calcium carbonate. The full hike up Havasu Canyon to the highway is over 15 miles and takes you past some of the most beautiful falls in the world including Beaver Falls, Mooney Falls and Havasu Falls. On our 2003 trip, Lisa and I got to do that because we had to get back and take care of Hannah. At the time, Lisa was three months pregnant with Caleb. What a gal...

With no plans to hike very far up the canyon this year, we spent our time playing in the beautiful water of this magical place.

Dann Coffey loving life.

The Spargo's in a very good place.

The four brothers taking advantage of an amazing, travertine pool.

Christopher Robison

The generally quiet and reserved Christopher letting go and having a blast.

Dave Ford, butt in the sand on the banks of Havasu Creek, it doesn't get better than this.

The gang having a blast in one of the many waterfalls of Havasu Creek.

It's around this section of the Grand Canyon that you start running into more and more Ocotillos. The one next to Kent is really healthy and in full bloom. Another magical of the Grand Canyon.

After getting played out in the Havasu, we headed back to our boats to head downstream to find a lunch spot.

Then we thought, why not have lunch here? It was a lot of fun especially with all the fish swimming around our legs and feet. You can actually see shadows of them in the water in this picture.

Tuesday, April 30^th -- Tuckup Camp (River Mile 165)

Summer Mudd was always the life of the party. Never shy, always willing, positive and joyful, it was really great to have her on the trip.

Chris Stiltner was also great to have on the trip. Bob's brother Dave had met Chris while on a hike in Montana and Dave knew right away that doing something bigger with Chris would be great. Dave's intuition was right and the rest of us are all better off because of it.

Dave Ford and Christopher Robison doing magic in the kitchen.

Look at that...

Pretty amazing breakfast on day 15 of this trip.

Wednesday, May 1^st -- Upper Cove Camp (River Mile 175)

The 10 mile section between Tuckup Camp at river mile 165 and Upper Cove Camp are fairly non-eventful and relaxing. This was our sixteenth day on the river so we left a bit late and enjoyed each other's company as we prepared for a couple of big days yet in front of us.

Having a quiet time on the water with friends and far away from the busy world outside the canyon walls.

Not sure what was going on here, but it's fairly clear it had something to do at Paul's expense.

This picture really captures the fun we had.

Thursday, May 2^nd -- 185 Mile Camp (River Mile 186)

After leaving Upper Cove Camp we had about five miles before running the biggest rapid on this trip, Lava Falls Rapid at River Mile 180 on the 2^nd of May .

Vulcan's Anvil at river mile 178. Once you get here, you know you've a little over a mile before the biggest rapid in the Canyon, Lava Falls (#9 rating).

The Spargo boat putting on a good face before Lava.

When we got to Lava to scout, there was a commercial group, Canyon Explorations that were just about to leave and make their run. We quickly tied up and got to the overview to watch them make their runs and learn from them. They had five rafts and a dory and each of them did very well. Watching them go through was very helpful.

This boat makes a perfect run entering on the left side of the tongue at the Hump Wave/Lateral wave just to the right of the Ledge Hole.

Makes it over that and goes just left of the "Pour Over".

Continues down just left of the "V-Wave" .

And then down to navigate just left of the "Big Kahuna".

Makes it through and sneaks past the "Corner Pocket" and the "Cheese Grater Rock".

All in all, a great run and one for us to replicate.

This is the video clip that Bob's brother Andy took of the Canyon Explorations' dory run through Lava Falls Rapid.

Our run through Lava Falls Rapid (River Mile 180).

We ran it backwards because you have so much more power pulling on the oars than pushing them. Our run was textbook other than we did get a bit doused going through the "V-Wave" but all good.

Lower Lava Falls Rapid is just below Lava Falls Rapid and is no where as big of a challenge and after the euphoria of successfully running Lava it's a very nice and mild bump and run to help settle the nerves.

More bighorns along the bank as we gently float to our next camp at Indian Canyon.

Brother Jim relaxing in the slower water below Lava Falls.

Friday, May 3^rd -- Indian Canyon Camp (River Mile 207)

Indian Canyon Camp has always marked the point where as leader of the trip you can finally start relaxing. We're at day 18 and less than 20 miles from the takeout and all the planning, logistics, rapids, hikes, personalities and everything else is mostly over. This is a camp where chairs are set up with the back to the cliff wall and water slowly drifting by in front of you. It is a place to drink a beer and know all is good...

Chris and Kath enjoying each other in conversation.

Saturday, May 4^th -- Upper Two Hundred and Twentymile Camp (River Mile 220)

Our last camp on the trip was Upper Two Hundred and Twentymile Camp just six miles before our takeout at Diamond Creek at river mile 226 on May 5^th.

Dann Coffey at our last camp enjoying his time drawing the magnificent landscapes of this Grand Canyon. Having Dann on this trip was just the best!

It was also at this camp that Alex shared this wonderful poem he had written about our trip. To see it on video, check out Lee Potts' video between minutes 58:06 and 1:02:54, it's pretty great!

Forever the poet (in word and life), Alex had only a few days earlier penned this fun little poem:

Windy & Eddy

Windy and Eddy are negative forces,
they've caused lots of fights and several divorces.
We cuss 'em and curse 'em while plotting our courses,
The next time we do this we're gonna ride horses!

Speaking of "Windy and Eddy," we had to row into a pretty stiff headwind the last six miles of our trip to the takeout at Diamond Creek. Thank goodness we had Lee on our boat who is in his early 20's, is 6'6", 240 pounds and strong as a bull to man the oars. Thank you Lee!

Of course I couldn't let him have all the fun and had to pull on the oars a bit too.

In this picture in the background is Diamond Peak where just beyond is Diamond Creek where we'll be taking out. What's interesting is that the elevation of Diamond Peak is 3,500 feet and the elevation at Lee's Ferry is 3,300 feet. That gives you a visual idea of how much the river has dropped over the 226 miles we've floated on it. :)

At the Diamond Creek takeout on Sunday, May 5^th where PRO has met us in rental trucks to shuttle us back to Flagstaff.
Look at all the gear piled up like it was three weeks earlier at the Little America Hotel in Flagstaff except with a bit more "experience."

Derigging our faithful boats.

Washing them down to bring them up on the beach.

So we can deflate them by opening the valves and laying on them so they can be rolled up and loaded for the trip back to Flagstaff.

Sunday and Monday, May 5^th and 6^th -- Flagstaff, Arizona

Bob and his brothers in the same order and in the same place at the Little America Hotel they were at exactly 21 days earlier.

The four of us hadn't spent this much time together since high school and the great thing is we still really like each other, maybe even more now than then. What a great trip!

What was left of our food spread out on the hotel lawn on the morning of the 6^th to divvy out among us. Not much considering what we launched with.

A last family picture together at PRO's shop and still all smiles. Thank you God!

As Bob's brothers and Lee made their way back north and east to Montana and Michigan, Bob headed west and north through Las Vegas to Beatty where he spent the night. The next day he cut across to the west at Lida Junction to Big Pine where, on the way, he had this amazing view of the High Sierra including Mount Whitney, Mount Russell and the North Palisade.

It was great driving alone through this beautiful country to have a little bit of "windshield time" to think about and consider our amazing trip and next steps.

As a final note, we learned that the suspected drowning victim the park service had made us aware of on April 20^th was wearing a life preserver that we had found very early on our trip just below Sheer Wall Rapid at river mile 14. We brought the life preserver to the Park Service office in Flagstaff on the 6^th of May. At that time the suspected victim had yet to be found, but we later learned that he had been found on May 10^th only six miles below Lees Ferry as reported in this NPS Press Release and this ABC News Report. Very sad...

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